Faced with a dilema-help

I wouldn't unless you can get the JV coach ask as his idea.

Thats always an option.The Head coach knows Id be better off there but his number one priority is Varsity,which I understand.I still want playing time and I would start JV,not only that but be a top,productive player there.

futurecatcher27

You are filling a very important role on Varsity. The coach needs someone on the bench he can count on if the starter gets hurt. I'm sure you know, catchers get hurt all the time. How would the coach feel if he lets you talk him into playing JV and the varsity catcher gets hurt in the varsity game that same night?

PT would be great for you but don't diminish the role you are in.

Your coach isn't blind to all you've mentioned. He knoiws what's happening. In his eyes, you are playing a KEY role right now. I personally think you'd be giving yourself the shaft if you were to mention wanting to go back down. If he's a good man, he'll remember what you did for him when it comes to be your time.

Putting the team before yourself is a difficult thing to do, but you are now a part of the varsity at your school. You are either one play from being a varsity catcher of you will have to work very hard this summer to make up for the innings of experience you need. The needs of the team are more important than the needs of the individual. I wish you luck.

Could the fact that you are playing a weaker opponent tomorrow at the Varsity level equal playing time for you at the Varsity level? Maybe he'll give the starting catcher a day off or at least part of the day off to a)give him time to rest and b)get you some Varsity experience.

As you know, catching is extremely difficult on the body. Blocking balls, squatting down a lot, etc. Playing a "weaker" opponent would be a good opportunity for the coach to get some of his starters at least a little bit of a break.

Unless there is not another catcher able to step in at the Varsity game, no I would not think you would want to ask to go down. JV coach asking for you, Varsity coach asking you to go down-yes. You asking--probably not a good idea.

Thanks for all of your help

Im just really concerned about goin into next year with little Playing time under my belt.Im a frontrunner for a starting job and I wont win it if I dont get more experience under me.

This weekend I get to play JV ball for the first time.Tomorow,Fri Im with varsity


Hope it works out

If you are on Varsity you are ALREADY are the Front Runner. Whether you get the playing time or not. The Coach has alot of confidence in you to perform or you would not be up there. If there was to be a injury or the Catcher needs a break you will be the first one in.

Try not to worry about next year. This is coming from a Mom of a Catcher. All you can worry about is doing your best with the chance you have been given. Look at it as a positive and you will have a great season!!!!

SUE is right on. Everyone's telling you you ARE the man of the future behind the dish. Stop fretting over it, and keep a great attitude. The job is yours to lose now, not win.

has anyone else ever gone through this?

My deepest concern has to be that I wont have played enough to start varsity next year.I realize the team comes first but at the end of the day I am still sitting the bench and wont see time unless I play JV.

Still keeping my eye on the prize!
FC27

What is the History of the Cather's for your school? Does the Coach always keep one to sit the bench? Do they get a set amount of games to play in?

My Son's situation is somewhat different. He gets to play in the field but is still available if needed as a Catcher.

I would suggest you talk to the Coach just to see what he envisions for you. I would NOT ask to go back to JV. But maybe you can get some play time elsewhere. Are you a really good hitter? That is what gets my son time in the field. If not work on that. Maybe if nothing else you go be a DH at times.

Hopes this helps some. My Son always trys to talk to the Coaches to find out what his role for the team will be. They like to know that a kid cares. But... it is how you approach them and the issue that counts.

Be careful what you wish for FC. I'd advise against telling the coach you want to play JV. You never know about people, he could grant your wish but you may never get back to the varsity. You don't want to challenge his decision to have you on his team. It's a tough situation that my own son went through last season as a sophomore varsity player. He caught a lot of bullpens and did a lot of cheerleading but you know what? He practiced everyday with this varsity coach, learned his system, and now the starting job for the next TWO years is his to lose. He couldn't have asked to be in a better position. He did get to play a little. Mostly mop up behind the plate at the end of games that were out of reach. He played an entire game at second base when the starting senior showed up late and almost missed the bus to an away game. My advice is to accept your role, be coachable and be ready because you're just a rolled ankle or HBP away from getting in there. Don't pout, it's baseball, and you're on VARSITY!

Dilema??? I see an opportunity!!

quote:

has anyone else ever gone through this?

EVERYONE has gone through this one way or another. Futurecatcher27, do you know what “tough love” is? I’m going to give you a dose of tough love. You have to learn to control what you can control and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. First you need to understand you are the second best defensive catcher on your team or you wouldn't have been called up to varsity. Secondly the starting position is yours to lose next year so I would act accordingly. You are one pitch away from being the starting catcher on the varsity baseball team and you are worried about your personal gains. Here are my suggestions for what they are worth. First I WOULD NOT asked to be moved down. Some programs allow a player to play varsity and JV both. If that is the case I would VOLUNTEER to help the JV at the catching position if they needed me. If it is not allowed …. don’t worry about JV. Secondly I would work on my catching skills, receiving, blocking, framing, bunt coverage, play at the plate, pickoffs, throw downs, arm strength, and my hitting. Did I mention HITTING! You have a great opportunity to hone your skills and you need to take advantage of that opportunity so that when your name is called (and it will be called) you will be ready. In order for you to be a contributor next year you need to be able to swing the bat with authority and have a good strong and accurate arm. I’m convinced that most catching skills are taught OFF the field, not in a game.
Fungo

What I would tell you is ride out the storm. As a freshman or sophmore on the varsity squad, you are already an integral part of the program. Use the time to get to know the pitchers. Build a relationship with them as well. This is as important as game experience at your young age.

My son outside of the school is primarily a catcher, but at school plays several other positions. He has never lost the "edge" it takes, because he plays for a very strong summer team and catches 50+ games every summer. If you play with a good summer program where you will get work that should keep you in game mode.

I think asking to go back down would be an issue that could hurt, not help you in the future.

Stay strong.

Future:

Fungo's advice is spot on. You need to treat every bull-pen and scrimmage as your game. Some guys simply go through the motions when catching pens. It's critical for you to work hard there to hone your craft. Believe it or not, you are in the best position you can be by being up on varsity. You're catching the best pitchers your school has. You're certainly seeing better pitching in the scrimmages when you hit. And (this is huge...) you're learning to lead from the older players in your program. Catcher... Leader... very important.

Having said that, let me acknowledge your frustration. Noone wants to sit. If you were content with your situation, it's likely that the coach wouldn't want you there. However, as others have advised, you should embrace your role and be prepared to take the field on a moment's notice, because your number will almost certainly be called. Maybe it's only mop-up innings. Maybe it's a non-district opponent. ...or the senior gets a brain-cram and cuts class. ...minor injury. ...bell rung. ...ad nauseum. Who knows. The point is, be ready.

I know you need at-bats and game experience. Summer leagues, scout teams, etc. My son hits up the pitchers he catches pens for in the off-season for live BP. (Make sure you get that blessed by your coach as they generally have a strict throwing schedule for their pitchers.) Around the holidays, you will have older kids home from college who need to stay on a throwing schedule and will likely need to throw a pen. Volunteer to catch 'em.

My son's soph. year, he sat behind a scholarship senior and a junior. ...was affectionately referred to as the bullpen catcher. ...hated it, but worked hard at it. Junior year, he sat behind a scholarship senior. ...played sparingly, but kept his attitude and effort at a maximum. Now he's the scholarship senior. ...and the sophomore behind him sounds a lot like you. He's got to be frustrated, but he's a great kid who works hard, knows his role, siezes the moments when they come, and is growing into the position to take over the job next year.

You have a job to do for your team. ...an important one. Help get your pitchers ready. Help keep your teammates up. When your team runs, be the rabbit who sets the pace. No senior likes to be shown up by a sophomore. Practice stealing the opponents signs from your dugout. All of these things are noticed and appreciated by your coaching staff.

Help your team, cause next year it will be YOUR team.

You won't get better direction than from Fungo and the Hokie in your situation. I completely agree that catching skills are obtained through drills and practice and they used in game situations. Good luck.

To: futurecatcher27

Tell us more about your situation. What grade are you in and what grade is the Varsity catcher in. The injuries you mentioned, are the catchers who got hurt likely to be catching next year. What grade are they in.

It is hard to tell from your post whether you are in the Varsity coaches plans for the future or are the only choice he has right now. Give us some more details and the advice you recieve may change a bit.

Futurecatcher, Hokie is definitely spot on. My son pulled double duty as the starting JV catcher and Varsity bullpen catcher for the last two years. However, as the bullpen catcher, he was there for the state championship game and also caught a first round draft choice during his first two years in the bullpen. He took all of his bullpen work seriously, particularly when he had 20 major league scouts watching the pitcher he was warming up!

Now that he is a junior, he has the respect of all the coaches for the work he put in the last two years and the respect of all of his teammates. This respect translates into leadership, and that is one of the most important skills a catcher can have. Keep working hard, and soak up everything you can. The starting job will be yours someday and if you keep working hard now, you will walk in ready to be the leader that the coach needs you to be.

Thanks for all of the advice

I guess I really was looking at this the wrong way.I was just so frustrated when sitting on the bench when I see the JV getting beat up 20-0,etc

To Dear Old Dad:
The Starter on varsity is a senior.He is a 3 year starter
The other catcher who got hurt was a freshman like myself.He and I were going to be splitting equal time on varsity and JV this year so we would both be frontrunners for the starting job next year.One Collar bone later I stand permanent 2nd string varsity

Well, it sure sounds like you'll be ahead in the experience department for next year since you'll have caught and become familiar with the team's pitchers. Now is the time, as others have mentioned here, to really make a go of your job. It will pay dividends.

Good luck.

My son's friend had this same thing happen to him. He was a stud all through Little League and played on a couple of travelling teams all year long. When high school came around, he made Varsity as a freshman, but was only the bullpen catcher. He was excited, but bummed at the same time. He also of course pitch hit, and was dh every other game. Same thing for the next two seasons... bullpen catcher..This year as a senior, he is the catcher. He was able to keep his skills strong by continuing to play on top level travelling teams who were playing top level competition. Sometimes, travel ball is at a higher level than the local high schools, it just depends on your area. Andy is finally the Varsity starter and has 3 years of valuable knowledge to boot: remembering what his pitchers did last year in tough situations so he is better able to help them stay focused or calm them down; remember who the big guns were for the opposing team and what kinds of pitches NOT to throw them; watching how the different teams' backstops are that you travel to and where, if any, are the trouble spots; learned the likes and dislikes of his fellow teammates, coaches AND umpires....and the list could go on for days. Keep your head, focus on the positives, learn as much as you can, and physically and mentally stay strong and ready, because believe me...your time will come...make the most of it and enjoy it!